Championship
Amid the hurlyburly of a Championship Saturday, it’s rare for one team to emerge head and shoulders above the rest. But there can be no doubt about the big winners on this particular Saturday. Step forward Derby County, who beat Ipswich in the early kick-off at Portman Road to claim second spot before watching in glee as leaders Bournemouth crashed to a home defeat against Norwich. By the time the dust settled, Steve McClaren’s side were level on points at the top of the table.
It could have been different. Indeed, when Derby’s John Eustace was dismissed moments after the game had entered six minutes of injury time, the stage seemed set for Ipswich to assuage the sense of grievance they had been nursing over an earlier penalty claim. But neither Kevin Bru nor Noel Hunt could capitalise on late openings, so Chris Martin’s 18th goal of the season proved decisive.
All told, then, not a bad afternoon’s work for the visitors, not least when you consider that Mick McCarthy’s side have looked virtually unbeatable at home this season. You have to go back all the way to 23 August for the last time Ipswich were undone on their own turf.
And the identity of their conquerors that day? None other than Norwich, who have since traded one Neil for another, with Alex Neil this week filling the vacancy created by the resignation of Neil Adams. The visit to Dean Court – or the Goldsands Stadium, if you prefer – was effectively Norwich’s first under their new manager, even if Mike Phelan was nominally in charge. And as Neil watched from the directors’ box, the players didn’t disappoint, Gary Hooper cancelling out Matt Richie’s opener before Cameron Jerome scored a late winner. It was hardly plain sailing – and it was small wonder that Neil felt moved to join Phelan on the bench when Jonny Howson’s dismissal reduced Norwich to 10 men – but the Canaries are now just a point off the playoff positions. As for Eddie Howe’s side, they retain top spot on goal difference.
Middlesbrough were unable to capitalise on events at Portman Road, drawing 0-0 at Reading to remain fourth, while Brentford chalked up a first victory in four games with a 1-0 home win over Rotherham that moved them up to fifth.
Birmingham and Huddersfield both won 3-1 at home, against Wigan and Watford respectively; Watford slip a place to sixth.
At the bottom of the table, Blackpool threw themselves a survival lifeline with a 1-0 win over fellow strugglers Millwall, while a 1-1 draw at Bolton – combined with Brighton’s 1-0 victory at Charlton – leaves Leeds just two points above the drop zone.
League One
Bristol City took full advantage of playing two days earlier than title rivals Swindon, claiming a resounding 4-0 win over Notts County.
Joe Bryan set the tone for the afternoon with an eighth-minute strike, and Matt Smith – who is on loan from Fulham – chipped in just before the interval with his ninth goal in five games. Fulham, who are 18th in the Championship after losing 1-0 at Cardiff, must be counting the days until Smith’s return to south-west London; Bristol City, who extended their lead after the break through Jay Emmanuel-Thomas and Derrick Williams, not so much.
Oldham must have thought that they were on course to move beyond the Ched Evans controversy when they went in at half-time two goals to the good against Doncaster, but the second-half dismissal of Joseph Mills paved the way for the visitors to hit back with two late goals.
And that wasn’t even the most notable 2-2 draw of the day. Crawley, for whom striker Matt Harrold played most of the game in goal after Brian Jensen suffered a dislocated finger, can lay claim to that distinction. Harrold conceded twice, but impressed sufficiently to be named man of the match. Had he played in goal before? No. Had he won man of the match for Crawley before? No. Was he embarrassed? Yes.
League Two
Wycombe Wanderers maintained their slender advantage at the top of the table courtesy of Fred Onyedinma’s second goal in two games. The Nigerian midfielder, who is on loan from Millwall, struck with a header just after the break to preserve an unbeaten league run stretching back to mid-November.
Nonetheless, the leaders will be feeling the heat of second-placed Burton’s breath on their necks. Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink’s men saw off Mansfield 2-1 at the Pirelli Stadium to remain a point shy of top spot.
Three points further back, Newport beat Portsmouth 1-0 at home to maintain their own promotion aspirations.
And Stevenage moved within a point of the playoff positions courtesy of a 2-1 win over Wimbledon.
